Grand African Explorer

62 Days Nairobi to Cape Town

GAE - Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa

We go all the way on this overland adventure trip! Beginning in Nairobi the tour travels into Uganda to see the famous Mountain Gorillas. Lake Nakuru National Park - with its pink flamingos, Leopards and white rhino’s - is one of the many included National Parks we stop off at along the way. Afterwards, we continue south to Serengeti National Park (included) and Ngorongoro Crater (included). We are now ready for some time on the ‘ Spice Island ’ of Zanzibar (option) before we relax on the beaches of Lake Malawi. Zambia and a house boat on Lake Kariba is next on our long list of included tour highlights before we hit the adventure capital of Africa - Victoria Falls, where you can raft, bungi, jet boat and plenty more. From here we include a visit to Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta on our way to uncovering the forever changing scenery of Namibia. Etosha, Swakopmund and Sossusvlei are just some of the sights you will see. Crossing into South Africa for some well deserved wine tasting, we find ourselves nearing Cape Town. This landmark city nestled majestically under Table Mountain , is our final destination.

Available dates:

Oct 16 - Dec 17, 2005 Nov 20, 05- Jan 21, 2006 Dec 18, 05 - Feb 18, 2006 Jan 29 - Apr 1, 2006 Mar 5 - May 6, 2006 Apr 2 - Jun 3, 2006 May 14 - Jul 15, 2006

Costs

$2390.00 USD / $2990.00 CAD
No single supplement charge

Local Payment
$1325.00 USD

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Itinerary

Download Detailed Trip Dossier (DOC - 756 KB)

Day 1 We depart the Indaba Campsite at 9am. From Nairobi , Kenya 's modern capital, we head out to the Rift Valley, a 7000-kilometre cut in the Earth’s surface and one of Earth’s few landmarks visible from space. A spectacular view of the Masai Plains below awaits us. Tonight after our game drive we camp inside the National Park and listen to the wildlife as we huddle around the campfire.  

Day 2 - 3 Leaving Lake Nakuru after our morning game drive, we climb up the Eldama Ravine to the fertile Highlands of Kenya. We overnight at Naiberi Falls one of the most famous overland stops in Africa. Bring something warm it can get cold up here!

Day 4 - 5 We camp at Bujagali Falls overlooking the Nile. Here we have the opportunity to spend two day’s, enjoying the spectacular rapids and scenery with a number of different activities to suit your tastes. During the day perhaps try White Water Rafting on the mighty Nile If you would like to upgrade to a fully equipped luxury ensuite safari tent overlooking Bujagali Falls and the Nile for three nights while staying in Jinja please email us at info@bigearthadventure.com (ref: Nile Porch) and we will send you more information.

Day 6 - 7 Today we transit through the beautiful country side of Uganda ; we stop on the equator for some photos and the famous ‘water experiment”. Tonight there is an opportunity to upgrade to chalets for a small fee. We pay the camping part and you add the balance. An en-suite chalet will cost you around $8 p.p.

Day 8 Trekking Day! Up at 5.30 am we are off. With the help of local guides, armed with pangas to cut through the vines we walk through the dense equatorial rain forest in search of Mountain Gorillas. Currently the gorilla trek costs between $350-400 us dollars (includes transport and Visa’s, June 2005). This money is then used for the protection and conservation of the Mountain Gorilla as well as the local communities around the parks.  

Day 9 Today we return to Lake Bunyonyi where we spend the afternoon relaxing and trading gorilla stories. You can swim in the lake, take out a dug out canoe in search of the Lake Otter , climb the surrounding mountains, or take a walk down to the local village project. Don’t forget to try some of the fresh water crayfish.  

Day 10 - 11 We leave the lake and travel to Kampala the capital city of Uganda. Tonight why not sample the nightlife of an African Capital City ! 

Day 12 - 13 We leave Kampala for Kenya and head to Kembu farm on the outskirts of Nakuru. Here you have the opportunity to tour a commercial farm in Africa , before visiting another of Kenya ’s lakes – Lake Naivasha, locally known by the Masai as E-na-iposha (heaving waters). You also have the option of walking or cycling in Hells Gate National Park , taking a guided walking safari in the Crater Lake Reserve, or take a boat trip to Crescent Island Wildlife Reserve.  

Day 14 After a morning of activities we drive back out of the Rift Valley and head for a night out in Nairobi. Tonight you have the option of going out for dinner at the Carnivore, but don’t worry there is also an excellent vegetarian menu.

Day 15 Leaving Nairobi we cross the border into Tanzania and travel towards the foothills of Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro, We Stay in Arusha, the gateway to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 16 - 18 We move on to what the Masai call “Siringet”, meaning endless plains or more commonly known to us as the Serengeti National Park. This park is home to over 2 million migratory animals. We drive across the vast plains in search of lion, cheetah, giraffe, elephant, etc. Tonight we camp inside the Serengeti and if lucky will hear the Lion prides calling to start the hunt. Leaving the Serengeti we head for Ngorongoro Crater considered by many to be the ‘eighth wonder of the world’.

Day 19 We take a day off after our busy game viewing experience and stay near the dusty safari town of Arusha where you can try out your trading skills in the colourful ebony markets. A Visit to the local Snake Park and Masai Museum is included in your tour.

Day 20 - 21 A day’s drive south, passing beneath Mount Kilimanjaro , to Dar es Salaam and the beckoning shores of the Indian Ocean. The East Coast of this vast continent is our set off point for four days on Zanzibar Island. Dr Livingstone and others began their journeys through Africa here.

Day 22 - 25 Zanzibar was for many years the slave capital of Africa until the British abolished slavery in the late 1800’s. It is now a Spice Island and Mecca for people that love white sandy beaches, seafood and crystal clear waters. Our Guides and Agent on the island will give you all the information that you need to fully enjoy the Spice Island.

Day 26 - 27 After returning from Zanzibar, we leave the Indian ocean and drive south-west passing through largely untouched and rich countryside, featuring the stunning baobab - the upside down tree of African legend. We overnight at the ‘Old Farmhouse’ one of the original European settler plantations in the area.

Day 28 - 31 The warm heart of Africa - Malawi beckons. We'll make our way down the shoreline of Lake Malawi , beach hopping along the way. During the time at Kande Beach there is the opportunity to upgrade in to Beach Chalets if you would like a break from camping. We then leave the white sandy beaches and head to the capital – Lilongwe.

Day 32 - 34 We transit through the contrasting scenery of Zambia - through areas of thick bush, opening to savannah and the sparsely populated hilly north, stopping to replenish our supplies at the markets in the Capital city of Lusaka before arriving at Lake Kariba.

Day 35 - 37 Nearly thirty years ago the construction of a dam at the Kariba Township transformed the middle Zambezi River into the third largest man made lake in the world. The lake is abundant with vast numbers of crocodile and birds. The islands and lake shore boast many other species, including elephant, warthog, baboon, and antelope. Here we board a luxury houseboat for a 3-day tour through Lake Kariba.  

Day 38 - 39 From Kariba we travel to Livingstone, the Zambian side of the famous Mosi-oa-tunya, "The Smoke that Thunders", the local name of Victoria Falls. Here we go on a rhino walk in the Mosi-oa-tunya National Park (included) getting as close as five metres to white Rhino, before the option of a sunset cruise on the upper Zambezi River.

Day 40 - 42 Crossing the border into Zimbabwe we arrive at the Victoria Falls Township. Here we have the chance to take in some of the many adventure sports on offer. Pushbikes and mopeds can be hired and ridden through game areas), there’s a crocodile farm, craft markets, even afternoon tea at the delightfully posh Victoria Falls Hotel or gambling at The Kingdom! But don’t forget to go and experience the amazing falls themselves.

Day 43 - After lunch we transfer by road to Botswana where we stay on the banks of the Chobe River. Botswana is a huge country, about the size of France , but virtually dead flat and home to only one million people. Botswana ’s National Parks have some of the highest game concentration in Africa.

Day 44 - This morning, we enjoy your included game drive safari in Chobe National Park followed by an afternoon sunset cruise on the Chobe River. During the heat of the day you are able to relax by the pool. Wildlife is plentiful in Chobe particularly elephant, lion, buffalo, plains game, hippo and crocodile. The birdlife, which can be seen and photographed on our boat cruise, is also spectacular.

Day 45 Our Scenic drive today takes us across the flat salt pans to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Keep your eyes open for the chance to spot the elusive ‘wild dog' famous in this area.

Day 46 - 48 This morning we depart Maun on our four wheel drive vehicles for the Okavango Delta. The delta is essentially a depression in the Earth's surface covered in desert sand, where a huge river pours in, fans out and eventually ceases to flow. After 2 nights bush camping in the Delta we pack up camp and take the dugouts back to town.

Day 49 - From here we head west and begin our exploration of Namibia. This country only gained independence from South Africa in 1990 and is still settling into self-rule and planning for a future which looks very positive. It is a stable, peaceful nation with a population of 1.3 million.  

Day 50 - 52 Etosha National Park covers 23,000sq km of Mopane and Acacia woodland, centred by a huge saltpan stretching for 130km. The pan is completely void of any plant life and totally dries up in summer to become a cracked white flatland where animal footprints lead mysteriously off into dazzling mirages.

Day 53 As we leave Etosha we overnight at a cheetah sanctuary where you can get awesome photos of these magnificent cats.  

Day 54 Onwards through the solitude of rocky desert, we pass through the isolated townships of Outjo and Khorixas before reaching the paintings and engravings at Twyfelfontein. These stunning depictions of people and animals are the work of early Khoi and Bushmen. Some drawings are believed to be 5000 years old.  

Day 55 - 57 Further west again we reach the cool Atlantic Ocean and visit a well-populated seal colony at Cape Cross. We then skirt the coastline down to Swakopmund, a seaside resort set amongst sand dunes. There are some friendly pubs and restaurants as well as tasty treats to be found at the German pastry shops.

Day 58 - 59 Continuing south, we enter the Namib Desert in the early hours of the morning. The truck is parked and we take time out to climb the 300m high dunes and await the sunrise. The reddish dunes line a gravelled valley where only the hardiest of plant or animal survives. It is a strange and silent landscape but very captivating and inspirational for photographers.  

Day 60 - 61 Avoiding the restricted diamond mining areas in the southern part of the Namib Desert , we move on to Fish River Canyon , second only in size to Colorado ’s Grand Canyon. Then a optional canoe safari on the Orange River.  

Day 62 : We get a feel for colonial times in South Africa , as we drive on to Stellenbosch which has many old Cape Dutch buildings, set among huge trees and elegant streets. It is the heart of the grape-growing region and we will be sure to sample some of the fine produce.  

Day 63 : Meandering south through this beautiful countryside we arrive at the final destination of our journey, Cape Town. The city also has a castle, museums, gardens, the waterfront and plenty of happening nightlife.

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